FIFA Launches Watchdog for Workers on Qatar 2022 Stadiums

(ATR) FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced the creation of an oversight body to monitor the welfare of workers on Qatar 2022 World Cup stadium projects.

The independent committee, which will include FIFA stakeholders, will have oversight of the workers’ conditions set up by Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee. World football’s governing body said the new monitoring body would also oversee all FIFA competitions. The composition of the panel and when it will start its work has yet to be confirmed.

FIFA said the body will validate the quality and effectiveness of the due diligence processes in place, analyze the regular findings of the independent auditing system and the remediation measures taken by the Supreme Committee to address any issues. It will report findings, recommendations and progress, "with the aim of increasing transparency around this important topic".

"Over the last few weeks I have been following very closely the discussions on FIFA and human rights, particularly around the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar," said Infantino.

"I have seen the measures taken by the Supreme Committee and I am confident that we are on the right track.

"An encouraging example is the Supreme Committee’s response to issues that have occurred, such as the ones raised by Amnesty International in its latest report, which were already tackled by the Supreme Committee prior to the release of the report. This shows that the mechanisms in place are working related to FIFA World Cup construction although challenges remain."

FIFA’s announcement comes at the conclusion of Infantino’s two-day trip to Qatar. It follows publication of a report last week by Harvard expert Professor Ruggie, which makes recommendations to embed respect for human rights across FIFA’s operations and business relationships.

Qatar has come in for scathing criticism for its treatment of migrant workers. Earlier this month, Amnesty International said the workers building Qatar’s showpiece Khalifa International Stadium have been forced to live in squalid and cramped accommodation, while some contractors have withheld pay, confiscated passports and refused exit visas.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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